I pause. I reflect. All while doing dishes or whatever chore. I reflect. Why are we so quick to judge and condemn whoever for whatever reason we deem right or wrong? Been there. Still there lots of time, but! Now? On conviction I been pardoned! My penalty? Compassion in my heart. Wisdom in my mind.
The conviction of the lack of love in my heart. The pride and arrogance in my mind. The hypocrisy of my self-righteous religious life? It did not happen overnight. I had to pay the price. The price? Yes, the price. High price. The price of self-surrender that accepts the blessing.
I had to incline my ear, to submit and consent to the divine will. I had to come to the Father/Creator’s Spirit within my heart. I heard! My soul revived! The Father/Creator made good His everlasting covenant or league with me, even the sure mercy or kindness, goodwill, and compassion promised from ancient times. As it is written,
Isaiah 55 AMP REVISED NAMES
WAIT and listen, everyone who is thirsty! Come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Yes, come, buy priceless, spiritual wine and milk without money and without price simply for the self-surrender that accepts the blessing.
Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your earnings for what does not satisfy? Hearken diligently to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness the profuseness of spiritual joy.
Incline your ear submit and consent to the divine will and come to Me; hear, and your soul will revive; and I will make an everlasting covenant or league with you, even the sure mercy or kindness, goodwill, and compassion promised to David.
Now? There is compassion in my heart. Wisdom in my mind. I can no longer judge indiscriminately. I can no longer condemn, but! There is the wisdom of discernment. There is no longer shock, condemn and blame and back to business as usual. “Don’t think about it.” “It does not apply to you!” “It is none of my concern!” “Forget about it!” “That’s life.” On and on we go. Either giving advice, or! Worse yet, theorizing to show off our knowledge of such matters.
Me? I called Pat. Did you hear the news about Las Vegas? Dear Pat muses, “What are we to do?” “Don’t look at the monster, Pat!” “O good! I feel better already.” Next call, “Pat, did you hear that man was a millionaire?” Thanks goodness Pat had company so I could not expand my so ‘important’ information.